Date: October 21, 2020
Time: 15:00 EST
We made it! From the sunny confines of Denmark, Atalanta begins their next Champion’s League saga against Danish Superliga winners FC Midtjylland (last time I’m writing that!). Last year Atalanta was not so lucky opening their Champion’s League campaign in a non Top-5 league nation, but this is a different year, and hopefully a different story. A year of Champion’s League experience, and not being scared of the bright lights should do Atalanta wonders in their quest for the Round of 16.
Last year it was painfully evident that Atalanta was caught up in the moment in their first game against Dinamo Zagreb. Besides the 4-0 loss, the entire squad looked like a deer lost in the headlights, and was too timid to get on the front foot. Granted, Stadion Maksimir at nighttime was a very imposing stadium to play your first ever Champion’s League match, and this year a fanless journey to MCH Arena should not provide nearly the amount of uneasiness as Zagreb did. In fact, the lack of fans, while a shame from a sporting spectacle, is a blessing for La Dea to ease into the Champion’s League and help make the match against FCM feel like much less than a trap than it could be.
I keep thinking back to Inter’s first match against Slavia Prague last year, in which Inter barely scraped by with a draw (at San Siro nonetheless). Coincidentally the club that FCM defeated to make the group stages, Slavia Prague stunned the world by fighting tooth and nail to secure a draw, and could have won save for a stoppage time goal by Barella. To me this match feels the same way. Italian club up against a team they should handle, but the underdog goes all out because they have nothing to lose. Fortunately for Atalanta, it’s not as if they need to play like they’re walking on eggshells since they don’t have the expectations of a Juve or Inter to go deep in the tournament, and ideally can play a little more relaxed. And frankly, that’s the key to Wednesday’s match. Play your game and stay relaxed.
Even after the drubbing by Napoli, I doubt it will effect Atalanta’s confidence greatly. They’ve shown great resilience coming off brutal losses, and even last year took 7 of 9 points in Serie A after their loss in Zagreb last September. That resiliency, built off a manager in Gasperini who doesn’t waffle on his game-plan, plus a squad that knows each other so well, will bode well for them against FCM and hopefully allow them to put Napoli in the rear-view mirror until they face-off again in 2021.
For me the biggest key to the game comes from the flanks, and having Hateboer and Gosens doing their thing. It was evident in the drop-off from Hateboer to Depaoli on Saturday, and the attacking and defensive stamina of the Dutch pair should put Atalanta in the driver’s seat from the get go, even on the road. The only question mark/concern I have is Hateboer’s flank partner. Ilicic was obviously exposed last weekend, and proved he needs more match fitness to get back to his elite level. If I were manager I would not be starting him in such an important match, but Gasperini has a stubborn streak in him. With Malinovksyi injured, and Miranchuk having played 0 minutes for La Dea, I have a hunch we may be seeing the lanky Slovenian again in the starting XI. The Colombian duo up top has worked very well in the early season, and I think the pace of Muriel working off Zapata (not to mention the pace of the wingers) would be a handful for a defense not used to coping with such speed. Ilicic sitting on the ball may give FCM time to get back on the ball, defend in numbers, and regroup quicker rather than playing much more directly with Muriel as the second striker. I’m just an armchair fan, so what do I know? One thing I do know is, it doesn’t seem wise to let a team in its first Champion’s League group stage game with the odds stacked against them to have too much time to think. Make them react and force errors. If they respond well and make good decisions, bravo to them, but force them to play their best. To me Zapata and Muriel up front gives them the FCM the biggest handful given our current personnel. Papu Gomez mentioned last year that the speed of Champion’s League is something Serie A can’t prepare you for, let’s give FCM that same lesson!
It’s crazy how much further we are on the International stage compared to last year. No longer the hipster/dark horse team, pundits and fans actually expect a little more from Atalanta, and I think they can provide them. In a firecracker of a group that is now much more wide open with Liverpool’s loss of Van Dijk, Group D is absolutely the group of fun, and there isn’t a team in the group that won’t be fun to watch. At the end of the day I wanna see good football (and a La Dea win of course), and I’m feeling good about Atalanta and co providing us what we want in Denmark on Wednesday! Forza La Dea, and best of luck in the Champion’s League!!!
